Because of energy concerns following the earthquake, NPB also imposed restrictions on games during the regular season. A three-hour-thirty-minute rule was imposed. If a game went past the 3:30 mark, regardless of inning, the inning in question would be the last inning. A game would be called should any blackout occur during the game. The 3:30 clock starts at the first pitch of the game and continues in case of any delay.

Climax Series

Note: All of the games that are played in the first two rounds of the Climax Series are held at the higher seed's home stadium. The team with the higher regular-season standing also advances if the round ends in a tie.

First Stage

Final Stage

Japan Series

Central League

1

Chunichi Dragons

4

2

Tokyo Yakult Swallows

2

2

Tokyo Yakult Swallows

2

3

Yomiuri Giants

1

CL1

Chunichi Dragons

3

PL1

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

4

Pacific League

1

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

4

2

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

0

3

Saitama Seibu Lions

0

3

Saitama Seibu Lions

2

First stage

The regular season league champions, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (PL) and the Chunichi Dragons (CL), received byes to the championship round.